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Driving abroad: knowing your alcohol limits

I was at a drinks reception in Moscow recently talking to a Russian guest who was in something of a quandary. She was tempted by the glass of wine offered by the waiter, but said that if she took it she would have to leave her car overnight and take the metro home. Surely, I said, it’s OK to have one glass? "No. In Russia there is zero tolerance," she replied. "They think that if we have one drink we won’t be able to stop."

I’m careful not to drink and drive, but this reminded me that my blasé attitude – that it’s OK to have one glass of wine before driving home – is a habit stemming from the relatively lax British drink-drive laws. Official government advice echoes the Russian approach: "There’s no safe way to calculate how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit. The only way to stay safe is not to drink any alcohol if you’re driving." In practice, however, the limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood is the highest in the world.

Realistically, it allows a margin of error for drivers: a glass of wine at lunchtime, a pint of beer before heading home in the evening.

The problem with being on holiday – whether in your own car or in a hire car – is that it is easy to forget that an attitude like that could cost you dearly. In nearly every other country in which you are likely to travel, the margin of error is significantly lower. In some, such as Russia, there is no tolerance towards any detectable levels of alcohol.

What's more, attitudes in other parts of Europe seem to be hardening. Last September, the European Parliament asked the European Commission to prepare proposals for an EU-wide harmonised blood-alcohol limit, and a zero limit for novice and professional drivers. In October, Ireland cut its limits drastically, and next month France introduces a new rule requiring all motorists to carry a disposable breath tester (see below). The Scottish government announced at the end of last month that it will bring forward legislation to reduce the limit from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood – in line with typical Continental limits. A similar reduction seems likely to be introduced in Northern Ireland.

So, as the main summer holiday season gets under way, here is a guide to drink-driving laws in countries popular with holidaymakers. Of course, in all cases the best advice is simply not to drink at all. But note that, if you enjoy a good night out, that could mean allowing up to 12 hours between having your last drink and taking the car out the next day. Note that the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia all have a zero limit.

I should mention that, although the limits may be lower, in some countries drivers recording between 50mg and 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of their blood are more likely to face a fine than the sort of driving ban usually imposed on offenders in the United Kingdom. To avoid repetition below, the figures given are all for mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

Austria

In line with most European countries, there is a maximum permitted level of 49mg. If you are tested and register between 50mg and 79mg you will be fined; if it is 80mg or more there is a more severe fine and/or a potential driving ban. Those who have held their licence for less than two years need to be exceptionally careful – the limit is close to zero at just 1mg.

Croatia

There is zero tolerance for all drivers less than 24 years old. The legal limit over that age is 50mg.

France

The limit for all motorists is 50mg and random testing is common. I have been stopped at a roadblock at 3pm in the afternoon – an exercise obviously aimed at catching lunchtime drinkers. In severe cases the police may confiscate your licence and your vehicle. They may also use a saliva test to check for the presence of proscribed drugs. From July 1 this year it will be compulsory to carry in all cars and on motorbikes an unused breathalyser kit (or preferably two) meeting French specifications. There is a period of grace until November 1, after which those without the kit will face a €15 (£12) on-the-spot fine.

Germany

A standard level of 50mg, but the figure is zero for drivers aged under 21 or those who have held their licence for less than two years.

Greece and Cyprus

Greece is another country with zero tolerance towards drivers who passed their test less than two years ago. Those who hire scooters and mopeds should note that the zero limit also applies to all motorcyclists. For all other motorists a limit of 50mg applies. Cyprus has a 49mg limit and a particularly high number of random police checks.

Ireland

A 50mg limit was introduced last year; this is reduced to 20mg for those within two years of passing their test. Random breath testing is in force throughout the country.

Italy

The Italians impose a general 51mg limit, but it is reduced to zero for those with less than three years’ driving experience.

Malta

In line with the United Kingdom, the limit is quite a high one at 80mg.

The Netherlands

The limit is 50mg. For drivers who passed their test less than five years ago this is reduced to 20mg – and this lower level also applies to moped riders up to the age of 24.

Portugal

For levels between 50mg and 80mg you will be fined and lose your licence for at least a month. Penalties increase for readings over 80mg.

Spain

Another 50mg limit, with a lower figure of 30mg for drivers who have had less than two years’ driving experience since passing their test.

Switzerland

The Swiss impose the normal Continental limit of 50mg.

Scandinavia

Norway and Sweden are famous for a culture intolerant to drink driving. The rules in both allow only a tiny margin of error, with a limit of 20mg, and particularly severe penalties (including prison) for those in breach of it. Random breath tests are common in both countries. Denmark is more in line with the rest of Europe at 50mg.

Turkey

For most drivers it is 50mg. If you are towing a caravan or trailer, however, there is a zero-tolerance policy.

United States

There is a general limit of 80mg, but some states can also impose a lesser charge of driving with a 50mg level. All states have zero tolerance towards drinking by any driver under 21.